Embracing the Cosy Art of ‘Hygge’ and ‘Fika’

Everyday life here in the UK can be hectic, especially if you have a family. Getting everyone up and ready for the day ahead takes a lot of time in the morning. As parents, we often forget about preparing ourselves for the day as best as we can, particularly when it comes to breakfast.

A recent survey conducted by MOMA found that around two thirds of women are spending around 5 minutes per day preparing their breakfast, rushing to get their foodie fix before starting work for the day. When breakfast time is rushed, it can be difficult for us to get our fix of the nutrients and energy needed to set us up for the busy day ahead.

On the other hand, it seems that in other parts of the world, people are taking the time to appreciate food and relaxation through the arts of Hygge (pronounced hue-gah) and Fika (pronounced fee-ka).

A Culture of Cosiness: The Cosy Art of Hygge and Fika

Although Hygge originates from Denmark and Fika comes from Sweden, they both share the same intentions: to relax and take some time to appreciate the good things in life. How you achieve this relaxation is completely up to you! Some find that spending good, quality time with family is their ideal way to practice Hygge and Fika, whereas to others, it could be sitting down and taking the time to enjoy a delicious meal.

What is Fika?

‘Fika’ derives from ‘kaffe’, the Swedish word for coffee – and Fika is exactly that! The practice of Fika tends to entail taking a long break with family and friends to enjoy a cup of coffee or two but can also involve baked goods such as cinnamon rolls, biscuits and cookies.

What is Hygge?

Hygge is much more varied and tends to be most popular during Christmas time in Denmark, when days are dark and chilly. However, Hygge is not just a festive practice and it can be seen all year round; from picnics and barbecues in the summer, to long relaxing strolls in the spring and autumn.

Hygge and Fika are said to help with mindfulness and our overall wellbeing, by helping to take away the stresses and strains of work and busy lives. Those living in Denmark are said to be one of the happiest populations in the world, so how can we follow in their footsteps?

How can you embrace hygge and fika in your daily routine?

There are numerous ways to get involved with the arts of hygge and fika, from making changes in the home to creating a bucket list of thing you’ve always wanted to see and do. Comfort from friends, family and food are all great ways to incorporate a bit of hygge and fika into your lifestyle, too!

Here are our favourite ways to begin practising hygge and fika, to start seeing a difference in your everyday life and to begin making the most of your time with friends and family.

Consider your work vs life balance: As Brits, many of us work way past our working hours to get things ticked off, only to come home feeling stressed and drained. Think about how much time you are working compared to enjoying your free time, and start making as many small changes as you can to start making the most of your time out of work.

Sit down to an enjoyable and nutritious meal: Enjoying a cooked meal is a huge part of hygge and fika. As the survey from MOMA revealed, we’re guilty of rushing our breakfasts and missing out on important nutrients. Making the extra time to sit down with the family and enjoy a good quality breakfast together in the morning can make a huge difference to how you feel for the rest of the day. Try MOMA’s porridge pots and sachets for an simple and healthy breakfast that the whole family will enjoy.

Adjust your surroundings: If there’s something in your home that you’ve been meaning to fix or change, do it! From changing the lighting or adding some colour, introducing some cosy accessories or even some structural work, your home should be your sanctuary and somewhere you look forward to spending time in. It’s hard to relax when you know there’s something that needs fixing!

There are so many more ways to begin making the most of life with hygge and fika and what it entails depends entirely on your lifestyle and what changes you could make for the better. If you’ve introduced either of the arts to your own lifestyle, let us know how it’s going!

About Us:

A family of 15 on a mission to fill life with experiences, not things, through travel, adventure and making memories, writing and filming as we go.
Unconventional? Oh, yes! Because life is too short to be anything else!
Please email business enquiries, motivational speaking requests and general hellos to: family@largerfamilylife.com